The President of the United States has officially signed the TAKE IT DOWN Act (Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act) into law. Originally introduced by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) on January 16, 2025, the bipartisan-backed legislation now imposes legal mandates and enforcement mechanisms designed to protect individuals—both adults and minors—from harmful and unauthorized publication of intimate visual depictions online.
This law sets a critical precedent in the U.S. for digital privacy enforcement and provides victims with clear avenues to reclaim their personal image and reputation online.
What Is the TAKE IT DOWN Act?
The TAKE IT DOWN Act—an acronym for Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks—focuses on unauthorized, harmful publication of intimate visual content online.
Scope and Prohibitions
The Act prohibits two key forms of online behavior:
- Publishing intimate depictions of adults without consent, particularly when:
- The intent is to cause harm;
- The content was captured under a reasonable expectation of privacy;
- The material is real or digitally fabricated.
- Publishing intimate depictions of minors when the content is meant to harass, abuse, or sexually gratify.
It also criminalizes threats to publish such content and includes stiff penalties: mandatory restitution, fines, and potential prison time.
Platform Requirements
Covered platforms—defined as websites, services, or apps that enable user-generated content—must:
- Create a clear notification and takedown process;
- Remove qualifying content within 48 hours of notice;
- Cooperate with law enforcement when violations are reported.
These obligations apply to everything from social networks to video-sharing platforms and adult content sites.
Impact on Online Reputation Management
The TAKE IT DOWN Act gives online reputation specialists and individuals a strong legal lever to remove damaging content that was previously difficult to challenge.
Faster, Legally Backed Removals
Unlike standard flagging processes or reliance on platform goodwill, the Act mandates 48-hour takedown windows for qualifying content. ORM (Online Reputation Management) professionals can cite federal law directly in removal requests, eliminating ambiguity.
Remedies for AI-Generated Exploitation
One of the most notable advancements is the Act’s inclusion of deepfake content. Synthetic images, even when not based on real photos, are covered—enabling victims of digitally created content to demand removal and seek legal redress.
More Control for Victims
The ability to formally report, demand removal, and pursue restitution gives individuals back control over their digital presence. This is particularly important for professionals, public figures, and private citizens whose careers or reputations hinge on online perception.
Legal and Industry Implications
The law marks a turning point in how the U.S. legal system addresses image-based abuse and platform responsibility.
- For platforms: Expect compliance investments, such as faster moderation workflows, enhanced identity verification, and closer alignment with digital law enforcement practices.
- For law enforcement: The Act offers a clearer legal path to prosecute offenders and protect victims, especially in cases involving extortion or harassment.
- For digital privacy policy: The law bridges a long-standing gap in platform liability while reinforcing user protections against AI misuse.
What This Means Going Forward
The TAKE IT DOWN Act sets a precedent. It recognizes the evolving nature of online harm—from authentic images to AI-powered fabrications—and establishes a direct, enforceable framework to address it. For professionals working in reputation defense or digital rights, it creates a practical and legal mechanism to act quickly.
For platforms, the message is clear: if user-generated content causes harm and violates consent, action must follow—fast. No longer can platforms wait for public outrage or media pressure to intervene.
Most importantly, this law restores a measure of control to individuals. Whether you’re a victim of revenge content, an executive combating smear campaigns, or a parent protecting a minor, the TAKE IT DOWN Act delivers a pathway to remove harmful material and hold bad actors accountable.
Full Text of the Take It Down Act
To require covered platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate visual depictions, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. Short title.
This Act may be cited as the “Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act” or the “TAKE IT DOWN Act”.
SEC. 2. Criminal prohibition on intentional disclosure of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions.
(a) In general.—Section 223 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 223) is amended—
(1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
“(h) Intentional disclosure of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions.—
“(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection:
“(A) CONSENT.—The term ‘consent’ means an affirmative, conscious, and voluntary authorization made by an individual free from force, fraud, duress, misrepresentation, or coercion.
“(B) DIGITAL FORGERY.—The term ‘digital forgery’ means any intimate visual depiction of an identifiable individual created through the use of software, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or any other computer-generated or technological means, including by adapting, modifying, manipulating, or altering an authentic visual depiction, that, when viewed as a whole by a reasonable person, is indistinguishable from an authentic visual depiction of the individual.
“(C) IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘identifiable individual’ means an individual—
“(i) who appears in whole or in part in an intimate visual depiction; and
“(ii) whose face, likeness, or other distinguishing characteristic (including a unique birthmark or other recognizable feature) is displayed in connection with such intimate visual depiction.
“(D) INTERACTIVE COMPUTER SERVICE.—The term ‘interactive computer service’ has the meaning given the term in section 230.
“(E) INTIMATE VISUAL DEPICTION.—The term ‘intimate visual depiction’ has the meaning given such term in section 1309 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (15 U.S.C. 6851).
“(F) MINOR.—The term ‘minor’ means any individual under the age of 18 years.
“(2) OFFENSE INVOLVING AUTHENTIC INTIMATE VISUAL DEPICTIONS.—
“(A) INVOLVING ADULTS.—Except as provided in subparagraph (C), it shall be unlawful for any person, in interstate or foreign commerce, to use an interactive computer service to knowingly publish an intimate visual depiction of an identifiable individual who is not a minor if—
“(i) the intimate visual depiction was obtained or created under circumstances in which the person knew or reasonably should have known the identifiable individual had a reasonable expectation of privacy;
“(ii) what is depicted was not voluntarily exposed by the identifiable individual in a public or commercial setting;
“(iii) what is depicted is not a matter of public concern; and
“(iv) publication of the intimate visual depiction—
“(I) is intended to cause harm; or
“(II) causes harm, including psychological, financial, or reputational harm, to the identifiable individual.
“(B) INVOLVING MINORS.—Except as provided in subparagraph (C), it shall be unlawful for any person, in interstate or foreign commerce, to use an interactive computer service to knowingly publish an intimate visual depiction of an identifiable individual who is a minor with intent to—
“(i) abuse, humiliate, harass, or degrade the minor; or
“(ii) arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
“(C) EXCEPTIONS.—Subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall not apply to—
“(i) a lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of—
“(I) a law enforcement agency of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State; or
“(II) an intelligence agency of the United States;
“(ii) a disclosure made reasonably and in good faith—
“(I) to a law enforcement officer or agency;
“(II) as part of a document production or filing associated with a legal proceeding;
“(III) as part of medical education, diagnosis, or treatment or for a legitimate medical, scientific, or education purpose;
“(IV) in the reporting of unlawful content or unsolicited or unwelcome conduct or in pursuance of a legal, professional, or other lawful obligation; or
“(V) to seek support or help with respect to the receipt of an unsolicited intimate visual depiction;
“(iii) a disclosure reasonably intended to assist the identifiable individual;
“(iv) a person who possesses or publishes an intimate visual depiction of himself or herself engaged in nudity or sexually explicit conduct (as that term is defined in section 2256(2)(A) of title 18, United States Code); or
“(v) the publication of an intimate visual depiction that constitutes—
“(I) child pornography (as that term is defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code); or
“(II) a visual depiction described in subsection (a) or (b) of section 1466A of title 18, United States Code (relating to obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children).
“(3) OFFENSE INVOLVING DIGITAL FORGERIES.—
“(A) INVOLVING ADULTS.—Except as provided in subparagraph (C), it shall be unlawful for any person, in interstate or foreign commerce, to use an interactive computer service to knowingly publish a digital forgery of an identifiable individual who is not a minor if—
“(i) the digital forgery was published without the consent of the identifiable individual;
“(ii) what is depicted was not voluntarily exposed by the identifiable individual in a public or commercial setting;
“(iii) what is depicted is not a matter of public concern; and
“(iv) publication of the digital forgery—
“(I) is intended to cause harm; or
“(II) causes harm, including psychological, financial, or reputational harm, to the identifiable individual.
“(B) INVOLVING MINORS.—Except as provided in subparagraph (C), it shall be unlawful for any person, in interstate or foreign commerce, to use an interactive computer service to knowingly publish a digital forgery of an identifiable individual who is a minor with intent to—
“(i) abuse, humiliate, harass, or degrade the minor; or
“(ii) arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
“(C) EXCEPTIONS.—Subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall not apply to—
“(i) a lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of—
“(I) a law enforcement agency of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State; or
“(II) an intelligence agency of the United States;
“(ii) a disclosure made reasonably and in good faith—
“(I) to a law enforcement officer or agency;
“(II) as part of a document production or filing associated with a legal proceeding;
“(III) as part of medical education, diagnosis, or treatment or for a legitimate medical, scientific, or education purpose;
“(IV) in the reporting of unlawful content or unsolicited or unwelcome conduct or in pursuance of a legal, professional, or other lawful obligation; or
“(V) to seek support or help with respect to the receipt of an unsolicited intimate visual depiction;
“(iii) a disclosure reasonably intended to assist the identifiable individual;
“(iv) a person who possesses or publishes a digital forgery of himself or herself engaged in nudity or sexually explicit conduct (as that term is defined in section 2256(2)(A) of title 18, United States Code); or
“(v) the publication of an intimate visual depiction that constitutes—
“(I) child pornography (as that term is defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code); or
“(II) a visual depiction described in subsection (a) or (b) of section 1466A of title 18, United States Code (relating to obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children).
“(4) PENALTIES.—
“(A) OFFENSES INVOLVING ADULTS.—Any person who violates paragraph (2)(A) or (3)(A) shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
“(B) OFFENSES INVOLVING MINORS.—Any person who violates paragraph (2)(B) or (3)(B) shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both.
“(5) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—For purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3)—
“(A) the fact that the identifiable individual provided consent for the creation of the intimate visual depiction shall not establish that the individual provided consent for the publication of the intimate visual depiction; and
“(B) the fact that the identifiable individual disclosed the intimate visual depiction to another individual shall not establish that the identifiable individual provided consent for the publication of the intimate visual depiction by the person alleged to have violated paragraph (2) or (3), respectively.
“(6) THREATS.—
“(A) THREATS INVOLVING AUTHENTIC INTIMATE VISUAL DEPICTIONS.—Any person who intentionally threatens to commit an offense under paragraph (2) for the purpose of intimidation, coercion, extortion, or to create mental distress shall be punished as provided in paragraph (4).
“(B) THREATS INVOLVING DIGITAL FORGERIES.—
“(i) THREATS INVOLVING ADULTS.—Any person who intentionally threatens to commit an offense under paragraph (3)(A) for the purpose of intimidation, coercion, extortion, or to create mental distress shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than 18 months, or both.
“(ii) THREATS INVOLVING MINORS.—Any person who intentionally threatens to commit an offense under paragraph (3)(B) for the purpose of intimidation, coercion, extortion, or to create mental distress shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than 30 months, or both.
“(7) FORFEITURE.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The court, in imposing a sentence on any person convicted of a violation of paragraph (2) or (3), shall order, in addition to any other sentence imposed and irrespective of any provision of State law, that the person forfeit to the United States—
“(i) any material distributed in violation of that paragraph;
“(ii) the person’s interest in property, real or personal, constituting or derived from any gross proceeds of the violation, or any property traceable to such property, obtained or retained directly or indirectly as a result of the violation; and
“(iii) any personal property of the person used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit or to facilitate the commission of the violation.
“(B) PROCEDURES.—Section 413 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 853), with the exception of subsections (a) and (d), shall apply to the criminal forfeiture of property under subparagraph (A).
“(8) RESTITUTION.—The court shall order restitution for an offense under paragraph (2) or (3) in the same manner as under section 2264 of title 18, United States Code.
“(9) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the application of any other relevant law, including section 2252 of title 18, United States Code.”.
(b) Defenses.—Section 223(e)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 223(e)(1)) is amended by striking “or (d)” and inserting “, (d), or (h)”.
(c) Technical and conforming amendment.—Subsection (i) of section 223 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 223), as so redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by inserting “Definitions.—” before “For purposes of this section”.
SEC. 3. Notice and removal of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions.
(a) In general.—
(1) NOTICE AND REMOVAL PROCESS.—
(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, a covered platform shall establish a process whereby an identifiable individual (or an authorized person acting on behalf of such individual) may—
(i) notify the covered platform of an intimate visual depiction published on the covered platform that—
(I) includes a depiction of the identifiable individual; and
(II) was published without the consent of the identifiable individual; and
(ii) submit a request for the covered platform to remove such intimate visual depiction.
(B) REQUIREMENTS.—A notification and request for removal of an intimate visual depiction submitted under the process established under subparagraph (A) shall include, in writing—
(i) a physical or electronic signature of the identifiable individual (or an authorized person acting on behalf of such individual);
(ii) an identification of, and information reasonably sufficient for the covered platform to locate, the intimate visual depiction of the identifiable individual;
(iii) a brief statement that the identifiable individual has a good faith belief that any intimate visual depiction identified under clause (ii) is not consensual, including any relevant information for the covered platform to determine the intimate visual depiction was published without the consent of the identifiable individual; and
(iv) information sufficient to enable the covered platform to contact the identifiable individual (or an authorized person acting on behalf of such individual).
(2) NOTICE OF PROCESS.—A covered platform shall provide on the platform a clear and conspicuous notice, which may be provided through a clear and conspicuous link to another web page or disclosure, of the notice and removal process established under paragraph (1)(A) that—
(A) is easy to read and in plain language; and
(B) provides information regarding the responsibilities of the covered platform under this section, including a description of how an individual can submit a notification and request for removal.
(3) REMOVAL OF NONCONSENSUAL INTIMATE VISUAL DEPICTIONS.—Upon receiving a valid removal request from an identifiable individual (or an authorized person acting on behalf of such individual) using the process described in paragraph (1)(A)(ii), a covered platform shall, as soon as possible, but not later than 48 hours after receiving such request—
(A) remove the intimate visual depiction; and
(B) make reasonable efforts to identify and remove any known identical copies of such depiction.
(4) LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.—A covered platform shall not be liable for any claim based on the covered platform’s good faith disabling of access to, or removal of, material claimed to be a nonconsensual intimate visual depiction based on facts or circumstances from which the unlawful publishing of an intimate visual depiction is apparent, regardless of whether the intimate visual depiction is ultimately determined to be unlawful or not.
(b) Enforcement by the Commission.—
(1) UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE ACTS OR PRACTICES.—A failure to reasonably comply with the notice and takedown obligations under subsection (a) shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or a deceptive act or practice under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)).
(2) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph (D), the Commission shall enforce this section in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this section.
(B) PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES.—Any person who violates this section shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.).
(C) AUTHORITY PRESERVED.—Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the authority of the Federal Trade Commission under any other provision of law.
(D) SCOPE OF JURISDICTION.—Notwithstanding sections 4, 5(a)(2), or 6 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 44, 45(a)(2), 46), or any jurisdictional limitation of the Commission, the Commission shall also enforce this section in the same manner provided in subparagraph (A), with respect to organizations that are not organized to carry on business for their own profit or that of their members.
SEC. 4. Definitions.
In this Act:
(1) COMMISSION.—The term “Commission” means the Federal Trade Commission.
(2) CONSENT; DIGITAL FORGERY; IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUAL; INTIMATE VISUAL DEPICTION.—The terms “consent”, “digital forgery”, “identifiable individual”, “intimate visual depiction”, and “minor” have the meaning given such terms in section 223(h) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 223), as added by section 2.
(3) COVERED PLATFORM.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term “covered platform” means a website, online service, online application, or mobile application—
(i) that serves the public; and
(ii) (I) that primarily provides a forum for user-generated content, including messages, videos, images, games, and audio files; or
(II) for which it is in the regular course of trade or business of the website, online service, online application, or mobile application to publish, curate, host, or make available content of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions.
(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term “covered platform” shall not include the following:
(i) A provider of broadband internet access service (as described in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or successor regulation).
(ii) Electronic mail.
(iii) Except as provided in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), an online service, application, or website—
(I) that consists primarily of content that is not user generated but is preselected by the provider of such online service, application, or website; and
(II) for which any chat, comment, or interactive functionality is incidental to, directly related to, or dependent on the provision of the content described in subclause (I).
SEC. 5. Severability.
If any provision of this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, is determined to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions of this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not be affected.
What It Means For You
Now that the TAKE IT DOWN Act has been signed into law, every individual—whether a casual social media user, content creator, business owner, or platform moderator—has new responsibilities and rights. Understanding both what is now prohibited and how to take action if you’re affected is essential.
Know What You Cannot Post Online
The law establishes clear legal boundaries for what constitutes illegal content. Posting the following types of visual material—whether real or AI-generated—can now result in criminal penalties, including fines and prison:
- Intimate images of an adult shared without their consent, particularly when the intent is to harm.
- Images or videos created or obtained when the subject had a reasonable expectation of privacy (e.g., taken in private settings without permission).
- Synthetic or AI-generated intimate content that falsely depicts a real person in a compromising scenario.
- Sexual or abusive depictions of minors, regardless of the content’s authenticity.
- Threats to publish any of the above, even if the material is never actually shared.
If you’re unsure whether a piece of content may violate the law, err on the side of caution. Sharing or resharing prohibited material—even if not created by you—can still result in legal exposure.
What to Do If You’re a Victim
If you discover intimate images or deepfake content of yourself published online without your consent, the law now provides a direct process for removal and legal recourse:
- Document the content: Take screenshots or gather URLs and timestamps before it’s removed. This is essential evidence for enforcement or legal claims.
- Contact the platform: Visit the site where the content is hosted and locate its content takedown or abuse report form. Under the new law, the platform must remove qualifying content within 48 hours of notification.
- Use the platform’s reporting mechanism: Most major platforms will need to comply with federal takedown procedures. Clearly state that your claim falls under the TAKE IT DOWN Act.
- Consult an attorney or ORM professional: If the content isn’t removed or you’ve suffered reputational or financial damage, legal counsel or an Online Reputation Management (ORM) expert can help escalate the issue.
- Report the violation to authorities: If the situation involves threats, extortion, or content involving minors, notify law enforcement. The Act provides a basis for criminal prosecution.
The bottom line: You now have federal legal backing to remove harmful content and hold those responsible accountable. Use it.
